A range of
stainless steel pressure sensors with digital i2C interface are
now available from instrumentation specialist Impress Sensors
& Systems Ltd.

Unlike traditional
industrial pressure sensors with analogue output signal, the
new DCT 532 series provides a digital i2C interface, making it
suitable for a wide range of pressure measurement applications
in OEM and machine building applications, including medical devices,
pharmaceutical machines, food processing machines and other process
engineering equipment.

The i2C interface
provides complete integration flexibility, enabling localised
bus configuration, which gives the user serial communications
with the sensor. i2C is a serial data bus technology developed
by Philips, which has become the standard for simple communications
inside equipment and machinery. This synchronous master-slave
interface enables communication between a master and up to 127
slave devices. As well as typical settings such as slave address
and data format, units for pressure and other parameters can
be set up.

Providing excellent
long term stability, the DCT 532 is a modular design of pressure
sensor, allowing the customisation of mechanical and electrical
connections to suit specific applications. The sensor also offers
fast response times (1.5ms, depending on the bus frequency) and
a measuring rate of 500Hz, which means no lag or downtime on
the digital bus network.

The DCT 532 is
available in nominal pressure ranges from 0 100mbar up to
0 400 bar. Accuracy is 0.35% FSO to IEC 60770 and so includes
all setting errors, making this a high accuracy level-measuring
instrument. The sensor provides excellent long-term stability
(+/- 0.1% FSO/year at reference conditions) and a high level
of electrical protection (emission and immunity according to
EN 61326) to prevent damage once the unit is installed in the
field. Output signal is 3.5 5.5VDC. The sensor is accurate
even in fluctuating temperatures (low thermal drift). Ambient
operating temperatures are from -25°C to +125°C.